At long last Sony has brought the DR-GA500 ($199) and DR-GA200 ($79) PC Gaming headsets to the USA. Check out more pictures in our previous post.
These headsets are perfect for those who play long online gaming sessions or frequently use Teamspeak/Ventrilo because of its open ear design. Many of the high-end PC gaming headsets currently out there have a closed-ear design that becomes quite uncomfortable after extended use.
Sony fixes this through a “newly developed triple-enfolding design distributes the headphone’s weight over a wider area, reducing pressure and improving air flow around ears.”
Many expensive PC gaming headsets have advanced sound, and the DR-GA500 meets that challenge with incredible audio quality. How?
The GA500 headset connects to a seperate unit, which has a Dolby Pro Logic IIx decoder with unique Sony Virtual Phones Technology (VPT) fpr 7.1ch 3D surround effects. The signal processing hardware is contained in a compact external unit.
The DR-GA200, which costs considerably less than the GA500, does not have 7.1ch audio but still has great sound.
With such sound capabilities, gamers have the ability to hear things in games they may have not heard before with lesser headsets. This enables the listener to precisely hear where the action is coming from. In my experiences, it is a real advantage in FPS, RTS, MMO, and other strategy games if you have a great audio system.
Sometimes when I snipe in games such as Battlefield: Bad Company 2, having a nice headset can allow me to know if someone is about to sneak up and kill me with a knife.
There’s also other handy features such as compression and FPS mode.
I currently own a Logitech G35 headset but I find it uncomfortable after a long period of time, and it always left rings around my ears from the headset pushing down my hair. These will be hard to resist.
Engadget has dropped one of the biggest Sony leaks in known memory with pictures and specifications of the rumored and long-awaited PlayStation Phone. They originally reported on the device (must read) several months ago with mock-up pictures and basic specs, but have now revealed specifications of a prototype version that seems in late stages of development.
Here is the complete engadget leak of the PlayStation Phone and two rather large galleries (1) (2), perhaps the most pictures I have ever seen for a major Sony product leak, showing it off.
Before I begin, what’s truly exciting is the fact that the PlayStation Phone will come to the market soon (late 2010/early 2011).
The first order of business is the new Sony Marketplace Android app that allows you to purchase a wide variety of games, apps, and perhaps movies and music. I imagine you can use your existing PSN log-in to access the store. It will be interesting to see if this is an evolution of the PlayStation Network, or just merely a seperate “Sony Marketplace” as Engadget puts it. I know Sony has been moving towards creating an all-in-one store. Is this it? Hard to tell. Maybe the beginning.
The specifications for the PlayStation phone absolutely delicious, especially since it will have Android 3.0 (aka Gingerbread), and a 1GHz processor (Qualcomm MSM8655) with 512MB of RAM. I really feel that 1GHz is the sweet spot for mobile devices at the moment and this is a good play by Sony and is also triple the power of the PSP/PSPgo.
There is no specification as to what type of screen the PlayStation Phone has, but merely that it is 3.7-4.1 inches. Sure looks like four inches to me, which is yet again another improvement on top of the current PSP which has a smaller screen, but not by much because the PSPgo has a 3.8 inch screen.
I also sense more clarity in this screen than past Sony mobile devices after looking at the pictures, as I have tried to take pictures of LCD screens before and they usually don’t come out this clear. It’s definitely a touchscreen. Perhaps its an improved, SLCD with high PPI (pixels per inch). That would be incredible if Sony launched a device with PPI like the iPhone 4. Any type of device with high PPI is really going to win consumers in the end. It’s like night and day.
Back again is the layout of the PSPgo, which is awkward looking but actually quite usable. Interestingly enough though is the revelation that there the middle panel between the D-Pad and buttons is a multi-touch area that can be used in many ways, but perhaps best as virtual joysticks.
Virtual joysticks have become very good, not as good as real joysticks by any means, but rather close. However, the biggest problem with them in the past was the fact they are superimposed on the screen you are playing the game on. That’s not really fun to me and I never found it reliable, but can admit I have had some successes with it. This changes everything. Now the virtual joysticks are on a multi-touch screen below the main display. The band of D-Pad, X, Circle, Square, Triangle, Select and Start are back together, as well as L and R on the shoulder behind the screen.
No specs on the camera were listed, but it sure does look to be pretty nice and definitely has a LED flash. If I had to guess, the camera would be at least 8 megapixels, although I think Sony could surprise everyone with maybe a 12 megapixel camera? Does that sound to crazy? I’m not sure.
There was also no word in the engadget article if the back of the device still has touch sensors or not, which has also been another consistent rumor for this device. Touch sensors basically allow you to move around with your fingers behind the device touching the back of it. Both pictures engadget has with the back of the phone has been digitally altered (I checked extensively in the second photo, and yes, that is covered slightly as well) making it difficult to identify what is hiding back there.
On a lighter note, the PlayStation Phone also uses MicroSD cards, signaling Sony is playing no games in making this device truly open. If it ran off MiniUSB I’d probably have a heart attack.
What’s odd is the fact in the engadget leak about this story there is little mention of Sony Ericsson, in fact none. But they didn’t need to say anything. This product is a result of Sony getting two major divisions to work together to create something, which has always been so difficult in the past.
In some ways, the PlayStation Phone almost seems like the successor to the PSP, otherwise known as the PSP 2. With so many differences between this and what we have now, this seems like the platform and hardware the PSP 2 will run on. So what kind of games could you expect on the PlayStation Phone? It’s hard to tell. PlayStation 2 quality? Higher?
I’ also have a feeling that Sony may play a phone and a non-phone and similar specs. Seems logical for maximum impact.
Sony Online Entertainment announced that four new actors have been added to an already impressive cast of voice talent for DC Universe Online (DCUO), which is set for release in early 2011 for the PC and PS3. The new cast additions include Arleen Sorkin (Batman: The Animated Series), Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Corey Burton (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Batman: The Brave and the Bold) and Dwight Schultz (The A-Team, Star Trek: The Next Generation).
“The addition of these actors to our existing cast reaffirms our commitment to gamers to deliver the most fun and authentic DC Universe experience possible,” said Sony Online Entertainment executive producer John Blakely. “They’re all experienced and talented performers and we’re excited for players to hear their work when they encounter them in the game.”
In addition to her career achievements as an actress, television host, writer and producer, Arleen Sorkin will again reprise her role as the Joker’s off-kilter girlfriend/henchman Harley Quinn, considered by many to be the most popular villainess on Batman: The Animated Series.
Wil Wheaton lends his skills to DCUO voicing Robin, the Boy Wonder. As author, blogger and champion of geek culture, his successful acting career began in 1986 with acclaimed roles in Stand By Me and Toy Soldiers. Recently he’s appeared on Criminal Minds, NUMB3RS and Batman: The Brave and the Bold as the voice of Ted Kord, the Silver Age Blue Beetle.
Joining the cast as the voice of Brainiac, Corey Burton began his voice-acting career over 35 years ago, studying the craft of radio drama with the legendary Daws Butler, the voice of Yogi Bear. As one of the last authentically old school “voice men” in America, the San Fernando Valley native has voiced sound alikes and original characters for hundreds of entertainment and educational productions.
With forty years of acting experience to his credit, Dwight Schultz voices The Flash in DCUO. Schultz is best known for his portrayals of ‘Howlin’ Mad Murdock’ from Stephen J. Canell’s The A-Team and ‘Reg Barclay’ from Star Trek: The Next Generation. His voice credits include many popular videogames, TV and film animation projects such as Vampire Hunter D, Princess Mononoke, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, and most recently, chef ‘Mung Daal’ from the hit cartoon series Chowder.
Sony (PlayStation) has revealed that their highly criticized PSPgo portable gaming device will now cost $199 in the USA (originally $250) and Y16,800 in Japan.
The PSPgo does not feature a UMD drive, but instead has 16GB of internal flash memory to store games (purchased from the PlayStation Store), and your own video, pictures, and music. This can be extended by up to 32GB with the use of a Memory Stick Micro (M2) flash card.
The unit is 16% lighter and 35% smaller than the PSP-3000, and has a 3.8″ 480×272 LCD that slides up to reveal the main controls. Unlike previous PSP models, the PSPgo’s rechargeable battery is not removable or replaceable by the user and it also uses a proprietary USB connection.
The PSPgo also has 802.11b Wi-Fi, and bluetooth so you can connect a headset, pair it with a mobile phone, or even use a PS3 controller to play PSP games.
Sony has sold about 61 million units of the various PSP models since the portable gaming console debuted in 2004.
Sony has ceased production of the cassette tape Walkman in Japan. According to Sony spokeswoman Hiroko Nakamura, “sales will end (in Japan) once the last batch disappears from stores.”
News of the demise of the cassette Walkman is exploding on the Internet, and is even a trending topic on Twitter at the time of this posting.
Fear not, lovers of analog – Sony will still make the cassette Walkman in China, and continue to sell them in the USA, Europe, and even some Asian countries.
The end of cassette Walkman production in Japan is still a defining moment in Sony history, as the device was one of the key products that lead to Sony’s success in the 80′s and beyond. The Walkman helped build a name for Sony outside of Japan and was one of the many products that influenced consumers to trust the brand.
The original Walkman was a tremendous success for Sony, as it was one of the first commonly available products that allowed people to carry their music with them, a revolutionary concept for its time. The device was built in 1978 by audio division engineer Nobutoshi Kihara for Sony co-chairman Akio Morita, who wanted to be able to listen to operas during his frequent transpacific plane trips.
The original Walkman was marketed in 1979 as the Walkman in Japan, the Soundabout in many other countries including the US, Freestyle in Sweden and the Stowaway in the UK. Morita hated the name “Walkman” and asked it to be changed, but relented after being told by junior executives that a promotion campaign had already begun using the ‘Walkman’ name and would be too expensive to change.
Sony has sold 220 million cassette Walkman players globally since the product’s launch in July 1979.
A confidential source has notified us that Sony is shutting down major operations of its VAIO CTO (configure to order) factory in San Diego, California. This is a planned cost savings move in order to more fully utilize facilities in China and Japan. The San Diego site was once a bustling manufacturing environment for Sony where many of their products were assembled which included their televisions from the late 20th century and various VAIO computer configurations for North, Central and South America. They pioneered personalization offerings for customers. Other successful lessons developed and learned from the site were eventually carried over to other global factories.
The change has resulted in a reduction in workforce for both its employee and contractor staff there locally. With all the others in the area closed throughout the years, this represents the last of the factories in San Diego for Sony.
We spoke to someone indirectly about this matter and there are future plans for Sony to use that space, but no further details were given. Details should emerge within the coming months.
This information is a Sony Insider exclusive, brought to you here first.
According to a relatively new source that has proven themselves completely trustworthy, Sony is currently working on integrating BIVL (BRAVIA Internet Video Link) functionality into upcoming VAIO products. This will either be added to their VAIO Media plus application or one of their other media browsing/playback programs. BRAVIA Internet Video is currently available on many Sony BRAVIA TV’s and Blu-ray Players, SMP-N100 Network Media Player, and the Dash.
Services included in BRAVIA Internet Video, found on nearly all of Sony’s TV’s for 2010, include video on demand from: Hulu Plus, Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, Qriocity, blip.tv, concierge.com, Crackle, Dailymotion, eHow, epicurious, FEAR NET, Ford Models, Golflink.com, Howcast, Livestrong.com, ON Networks, Podcast support, Singing Fool, Style.com, Slack, Videocast.com, Yahoo! Video, myplay, NPR, WIRED, Pandora, Netflix, and several others.
It’s very likely that different services will be available in certain regions, such as European BIVL-equipped VAIO computers having BBC iPlayer and so forth.
Sony will be one of the first consumer electronic companies in the world to offer a centralized online streaming video hub pre-installed on their computing devices. While many of the aforementioned services have a browser-capable equivalent, this will be a nice option for those who want a no-fuss option that has many options together in one place.
The only question left is – how much longer till BRAVIA Internet Video arrives on the PS3? Edit: According to a source who contacted us after this posting – “full (BIV) service roll out will happen soon.” (for PS3)
This information is a Sony Insider exclusive, brought to you here first.
You know how it is: you have kids and from time to time you fight over who gets to change the channel or listen to Pandora on your Sony TV. Most of the times, a toddler gets hold of a remote control for a few minutes and you may spend hours looking for it later on. Well, Sony rushed to a solution and brought forth a kiddie remote control RM-KZ1 pictured above. The manufacturer included some nice touches to its functionality aimed at kids such as it is splash proof and featuring locked down battery and programming compartments, it has also a “volume limiting” feature which disables the volume to be changed +/- 3 steps within half a minute. Not a bad toy, wouldn’t you agree? Back in the 80s Sony used to have a whole line of products devoted to children and was marketed under he term My First Sony selling Walkman, tape players outfitted with microphones, and lots of other colorful devices you would never think Sony would make. It was a great idea and sold well.
I also spotted another kid related product in the form of headphones – MDR-222KD available in pink or black colors. Most headphones don’t fit children comfortably. The MDR-222KD headphones were designed with a child’s head in mind. This allows the child to comfortably wear the headphones without strain that full sized headphones might cause as well as fit that eliminates the need to constantly adjust the headphones.
Both the remote control and the headphones can be picked up at Target for under $20.
There is something special about the Google TV experience when you first use it. It kinda hits you when you are able to surf any website and use picture in picture mode with a TV show in the lower right portion of a full screen Chrome browser. Finally, a real Internet surfing experience on the TV.
The television itself represents something that I feel is Sony’s original goal years ago of making that truly networked device. It also has a great deal of software upgrade potential. The Sony Internet TV, powered by Google TV, runs on really nothing more than an incredible modification to Android – in fact, we spotted it was running a customized version of Android 2.1. Sony’s take on Google TV felt quite polished, but not bulletproof.
And then there’s that remote with nearly 100 buttons that we have to talk about.
First, we must say the Sony Internet TV is an eye-catcher at first glance. This display isn’t similar to anything Sony has released in the US market in recent memory. The design is almost tablet like in some ways, with a rounded black bezel in the front and a smooth, glossy white surface on the back. There is a unique 24″ (NSX-24GT1, $599) model and the standard 32″ (NSX-32GT1, $799), 40″ (NSX-40GT1, $999), and 46″ (NSX-46GT1, $1,399) sizes available. In our observations, the viewing experience is crisp and clear with great colors (Bravia Engine 2, or perhaps 3..we will clarify) in the larger models with Edge-Lit LED-LCD. The viewing experience reminded me of the EX600 series in some ways. I wouldn’t say the EX700, since that has 120hz, but I am still on the fence. Most people would be happy with the picture, I believe.
Take a look at our hands-on video with the Sony Internet TV, its remote, and surfing around, playing various flash (regular, HD) videos, using picture-in-picture (we like to call it TV-in-browser), some Apps, and more:
There are some reflective qualities in the LCD, but it wasn’t anything horrible. I think you can see the worst of it in our video, where the 24″ model easily reflects the high-intensity lighting in the SonyStyle store, which is rather unforgiving. I could only see the reflective ability being irritating in certain situations with the 24″ model, and as I said before I had a better experience with the larger Edge-Lit LED-LCD models that were mounted on the wall or at least away from so much angled lighting. The reason why I address this is because some people have said viewing angles are not that great with these models, but in actuality I think that problem only really exists with the 24″ version. CCFL LCD panels have traditionally lower viewing angles than Edge-Lit(or Backlit) LED-LCD panels. If viewing angle issues are a problem, then you may want to take a look at a 32″ or larger.
Regardless, this TV will look very nice in most situations.
Lets be realistic for a second – the display options have some quirks that may upset the high-end enthusiast. The 24″ is a 60hz CCFL LCD, and the other sizes are 60hz Edge-Lit LED/LCD panels. I watched football, HD clips and other content for a while and felt that it handled motion quite well. It’s not 120hz, but its very good 60hz. If the quality of the screen still doesn’t satisfy you, Sony actually makes an Internet TV box, a standalone device with rich connectivity priced (white with a cool flat black glossy top) at $399 that has the same Google TV software and hardware found in the Internet TV, but also has an integrated a Blu-ray Player.
The most powerful thing about the television is none of those things, though, but more or less the fact it has a 1.2GHz Intel CE4100 processor inside, 8GB of storage, Android 2.1, 802.11a/b/g/n, gigabit Ethernet, four USB ports, a full version of Google Chrome with full Flash (10.1)/Java compatibility, and the ability to play great, smooth looking 1080p video. Speaker sound quality and loudness for the 32″ – 46″ models is better than average with 20W, but the 24″ model may not impress as much at 10W total output.
As for the Software, it feels very polished for its first version. Google had a while to figure everything out though – it runs a version of Android that is based off the software used in mobile phones and mostly easy to pick up if you have some sort of technical know-how. Applications include CNBC Real-Time, Gallery (which is a great Picasa interface, or can read from USB), Google Chrome, Help Guide, Media Player (which can also play content from one of the four USB ports on the TV), Napster, Twitter, Facebook, NBA Game Time, Netflix, On/Off Timer, Pandora, Qriocity, and Settings. I’m more than sure that an App Store of some kind is also on the way.
Once I learned how to get around on the remote, I couldn’t stop exploring and discovering more and more new things. I also began to realize the vast upgrade potential of this device. In fact, you can even check for updates. Here is the complete settings Menu in the Sony Internet TV. This may be a little boring to some people, but to others this demonstrates just how much effort went into the first version – we go over nearly ever setting. A very revealing video of the TV’s functionality, and a must-see for anyone truly interested:
I was slightly surprised there wasn’t more of a custom Sony feel to the UI, such as a skin or theme. Bring in some of the Sony Ericsson guys and have them make this look mint. The real Menu is white text merely on a black, semi-transparent background that is still dapper.
(click to enlarge)
The remote. There are a million things I could say about the remote. Before I start, I give the remote a nice long look in the video so please check that out. This is a really complex (IR) remote – there is a full QWERTY keyboard and 88 buttons. Typing went well in my tests, and I was able to gain speed as I kept using it. It’s somewhat like a weird hybrid of a PS3 controller, with two grooves for your hands in the back. Aside from two D-Pads, there are quite a few short-cut keys for things such as TV controls, Guide, DVR, Channel, Volume, etc, but the real action plays out when you hit the Home button (the Up button on the top right D-Pad). Unfortunately, the Home button is quite small on the remote and not really emphasized enough. There are also two buttons on the back of the device, like the L buttons on a PS3 controller. They control Zoom and a very handy Scroll feature, which is essential in surfing long websites.
Moving the cursor around is pretty cool, but not flawless. You simply run your finger over the D-Pad on the upper right. No joystick, just brush your hand in the direction you want to go. It wasn’t super accurate, and sometimes would stutter, but still better than average. I wonder what it would have been like with a joystick, though. The fact that the TV also has four USB ports makes me wonder what other options are available, such as a Logitech keyboard or whatnot. I liked the remote, and if I had to rate it I would give it a 7 out of 10. Needed improvements include button emphasis (larger, or different colors for the important stuff), joystick, etc.
As I said before, the real action begins in Home, where you can access Bookmarks, Applications, Spotlight, Most Visited, Queue, What’s On, and Sony Recommends. Here’s a little break-down of the not so obvious.
Spotlight is major content partners like blip.tv, CNET, Crackle, HBO Go, NYT, The Onion, VEVO, YouTube Leanback, etc.
Queue is quite interesting, it is actually reserved for Podcasts..of any kind, I’m pretty sure of as well.
What’s On is the dynamic TV guide overlay with categories, search, etc shown off for Google TV. I know this works very well with Satellite, but I am not sure how well this integrates with cable. You can still access the Guide normally with cable, it just looks even better with certain providers.
There is a lot of regular and HD content to watch on the Sony Internet TV, not only from the included providers such as Netflix, Qriocity, etc, but because you can also stream media over your network with the built-in Wi-Fi. If that isn’t good enough, any website with Flash, Java, and other video (SD/HD) can be played in the Google Chrome browser (also in full screen). Flash games work too, and it even has Parental Controls.
This picture demonstrates another idea – the Internet TV has many uses, but is a great option for a family that wants to get kids learning tech quickly and have more control over the experience. How so? You can put the Internet TV in the family room. This could be a device that keeps families together after work and school by keeping kids from locking up in their own room or the office. And if your teen, tween, or younger is using the computer too much or you are unsure what they are doing on it, this could really help keep them a little more nearby. Maybe have a night where the family hangs out and surfs around.
The Sony Internet TV could be the perfect TV for the bedroom, because the aesthetics are great, the picture quality is more than satisfactory, also it also has many of the things you would want to check out on the computer. Could be perfect for those nights where you and your loved one are cuddling and want to surf around. Or, perhaps a lazy Saturday/Sunday morning and afternoon surfing and watching football games. Another cool use could simply be as a PC computer monitor. It has HDMI In, which many modern graphics cards support. You can also plug in a Blu-ray player, PS3, or other other device with the HDMI and Component inputs.
Could you potentially just have this, an Internet connection, and no TV service provider therefore shed the monthly bill? I think this is the closest Sony has come in successfully answering that riddle, but they have also created something that is an incredible compliment to those that do have cable or satellite service.
You can try out the Sony Internet TV at SonyStyle and other major electronic stores. It’s worth looking at.
Sony Movie Channel, the first U.S. multi-platform television network from Sony Pictures Television (SPT), is now available on DISH Network, DIRECTV and AT&T U-verse TV on linear as well as on authenticated VOD and online platforms. Offering uncut and uninterrupted theatrical releases in stunning high definition, Sony Movie Channel showcases titles from Sony Pictures’ vast library, including award-winning features, cult favorites, family comedies and gripping dramas.
Programming is selected from more than 3,500 Sony Pictures films, which collectively have received 184 Academy Awards including 12 for Best Picture.
“We’re seeing a strong demand for high definition movie content,” said Andy Kaplan, president, networks, Sony Pictures Television. “In an effort to meet consumers’ needs, Sony Movie Channel was designed specifically for the Hollywood movie fan, bringing our high-quality catalogue of feature films directly to viewers.”
Through carriage deals with DISH Network, DIRECTV and AT&T U-verse TV, Sony Movie Channel will be available as part of HD programming lineups to subscribers nationwide. Sony Movie Channel is located in the HD Platinum package on DISH Network channel 386, in DIRECTV HD Xtra Pack on channel 563 and in the AT&T U-verse HD Premium Tier on channel 1791. DISH Network will offer Sony Movie Channel in free access for one month to all subscribers beginning Oct. 18. Sony Movie Channel will also be available on DishOnline.com and as VOD content to subscribers of its HD Platinum package.
Sony Develops “SmartAR” Integrated Augmented Reality Technology
Sony Memory Stick Gets a Speed Boost of Up to 50 MB/sec
Sony Bravia HX929 Firmware Available, New Features Abound
Sir Howard Stringer Addresses PSN/Qriocity Customers
PSP®go Phase Out
Music Unlimited Service Coming to Your PSP
